13 September 2012

We traveled to Bonao (about 1 1/2 hour drive from Santo Domingo) with the area presidency to see the Church camp that is being built for the youth here in the Dominican Republic. When completed it will be a facility that will bless the lives of many, many youth. We enjoyed touring the property and seeing the progress. Walking through the camp I could just imagine the sounds of young women at camp: laughing, singing, playing, learning, praying, reciting scriptures, sharing feelings, cooking, hiking, crying, serving, loving, bearing testimony, etc. There are amazing things for the youth and leaders to experience here in this gorgeous camp. Starting next year the camp should be ready to hold EFY which will a great blessing to the youth!

"Cabins"

It is a beautiful area with many types of trees and vegetation. Mango, avocado, and macadamia trees were a few. This was our first time to see a macadamia tree and macadamia nuts that weren't packaged.

It was fun to see the work in progress. They were forming the steps to many of the bungalows.

One of the workers was cooking a typical Domincian lunch of beans and rice for the other workers over a small fire. Then they all sat under a big mango tree to eat.

This missionary couple (below) from Puerto Rico oversee the camp and live

One of the highlights of our week is on Monday evenings at 6:00 pm, when two young Elders from the CCM (Spanish for MTC) come to our apartment to practice teaching in Spanish.They teach us for the 6 weeks they are in the CCM.It is very rewarding for us to watch them progress in many ways.Their language skills improve every week!We can see their knowledge and testimonies grow through the experiences they have during their 6 week stay in the CCM.We watch their confidence grow stronger as they learn to rely on the spirit of the Holy Ghost to guide them.We see their faith in Jesus Christ as they struggle and overcome difficulties.And we watch them become united as a companionship and teach with power.Last week we said goodbye to Elders Ika and Brumm.We love these young Elders and are so proud of them.We know that they are prepared to go out and fulfill their purpose as missionaries as found in “Preach My Gospel”. Our purpose as missionaries is to “invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”